☉NARIEL
Vaelin’s friends – his people – his family …those words echoed in my soul. They all were, and most of all, Eldrion was among them, a friend to me—family, though not related by blood, was stronger than one, but that greedy part of me also wished Aricen were here, not controlled by the blood bond. And maybe—just maybe Senja.
I watched them, utterly confused, before Arucard spoke. “It's a great honor to have you, my high lady,” he said, his tone serious in a way I had not heard before.
High Lady. I drew in a breath.
“From this day forth, we pledge to serve and protect you, until the end of days.”
The fog in my head began to clear. This was more than a simple dinner; it was Vaelin introducing me to his inner circle, to those he held dear—trusted.
I glanced at Nyxie, unsure of ho
